Board approves $11 million budget

Comment

By Andy Barrand

Hillsdale.net - Hillsdale, MI

By Andy Barrand

Posted Dec. 27, 2012 at 9:34 AM

By Andy Barrand
Posted Dec. 27, 2012 at 9:34 AM

Hillsdale, Mich.

andy.barrand@hillsdale.net

HILLSDALE — The Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners wrapped up the 2012 year by passing an $11 million budget Wednesday morning. After a brief 10 minute public hearing with no opposition the board passed the budget by a vote of 5-0. Outgoing commissioners Brad Densmore and Gearldine Spieth weren’t present for the vote. The meeting was also the last for commissioner Alan Ringenberg. The only questions came from County Treasurer Gary Leininger who questioned the amount the the commissioners appropriated for the county’s soldiers and sailors fund. According to state statue the fund must be funded with one-tenth of $1 million or just over $120,000 for Hillsdale county. Appropriations for 2013 was $100,000 with $31,750 carried over from 2012 for a total of $131,750. Leininger said the way he reads the statue is that the appropriation should be the one-tenth of $1 million with money from 2012 added to the top. Commissioner Brad Benzing said the interpretation he had of the statue said money could be carried over to meet the statue. Hillsdale County resident Bill Bishop voiced his concerns about capital improvement funds being used for wind farm projects. His concerns were on the way easements would be acquired. “The person who’s easement is sought should have the right of first refusal,” he said. By a 5-0 vote the commissioners also approved the 2013 Special Revenue Funds, Debt Retirement Funds, Capital Project Funds and Enterprise Funds. During the meeting the commissioners also addressed end of the year concerns including amending the revenue side and expenditure side of the 2012 budget. The revenue side of the 2012 budget was increased by $293,100 the expenditure side was increased by $342,873. The net budget increases after reductions was $287,873. The board also voted to purchase six new iPads for commissioners to use with a cost not to exceed $3,500. Benzing said the iPads would be used to allow the commissioners meeting packets to be delivered electronically.

“It will save us in print costs and it will also make all of the information available on the county’s website,” he said. Before closing the meeting Board Chair Andy Welden thanked the outgoing commissioners for all of their hard work over the years. Commissioner Benzing proposed resending the county’s hiring freeze which has been in affect for the past eight years. The amendment however was voted down by a 4-1 vote. Benzing cast the only yes vote. Benzing asked to resend the hiring freeze and allow department heads to work within their budget. “I think it is silly to have a policy that department heads don’t follow,” he said. The remaining commissioners said they would look into the policy of holding department heads accountable for filling positions during a hiring freeze. Commissioner John Burtka said he would like to look at getting more up to date budget figures in a more timely fashion as a better method of tracking departments. Commissioner Parke Hayes said what it all comes down to is better communication between the board and the county’s department heads. In other business: • Approved the transfer of $500,000 from the 2009 Tax Revolving Fund to the general fund. • Approved the transfer of $32,000 from the Worker’s Compensation Fund to the Self-Insurance Fund. • Approved a one-year contract with Roderick Dunham for Probate Court secondary legal services of $24,600. • Approved a two-year contract with Roy Brandes for legal services with Probate and Juvenile Courts of $39,083 a year. The next meeting will be at 9 a.m. on Jan. 2.